Granny" Government

Samoa’s Home-brew Attacked Another Example of "Old Granny" Government

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Feb. 8.

WITH cases of beer, pots and boilers stacked in the courtroom, Apia High Court looked (and smelled!) like a miniature brewery recently, when a dozen European and Samoan offenders were charged with having manufac tured intoxicating liquor, viz., “faamafu” (or “home-brew beer”). They were fined amounts varying from 5/- to £l.

His Honour Chief Judge Harley an nounced that in future offenders would face imprisonment instead of fines, and that the Administration intends to limit the importation of hops, malts and other “home-brew” ingredients. The price of imported beer obtainable by permit at Apia Customs was .recently increased from 1/6 to 1/8 per bottle.

THIS is another example of the injus tices which Western feamoa suffers under the “Old Granny” Government of New Zealand.

There are three communities in Samoa —Europeans (only a few hun dreds) ; Euronesians (several thousands, who live in the same way as Euro peans) ; and the Samoans.

The Samoans are not affected by the liquor question—or only to the extent

that the Administration must prevent Samoans becoming accustomed to the use of European intoxicants.

The Europeans and Euronesians in Samoa are entitled to the use of liquor, in moderation, just as are Europeans elsewhere. But “Old Granny” has de cided that there shall be no liquor in Samoa (believed to be a dictum issued 20 years ago by a New Zealand Minis ter, who was a Prohibition fanatic), except as a medical necessity. This gradually developed into a system whereby each European is “entitled” to so much beer and spirits per week— an order for same, directed to the Cus toms official, being signed by the Gov ernment Medical Officer. The Custom house imports the liquor and retails it.

It has become a highly profitable trade.

When I was in Samoa in 1936, being anxious to return much generous hospi tality, I applied twice at the Custom house for a supply of liquor. I was brusquely told to “go up to the hospital and get an order from the M. 0.” I did not go to the hospital: and, being annoyed by bureaucratic discourtesy and a silly system, I made it my business to procure a supply of liquor, in defi ance of both.

So much for the Europeans. The Euronesians, having less money, had to find a way of supplying their normal liquor needs, without recourse to the rationing system. Hence, “home-brew”.

Good beer is easily made in the home, and Germans usually are expert brew ers. “Home-brew” has been an estab lished institution in Samoa for 20 years.

I visited many Euronesian homes, and I sampled dozens of “home-brews”; and, almost without exception, they were excellent.

Although most people brewed beer only for their own use, it was plain that “home-brew” had become an article of trade. In fact, there were cafes where anyone could buy it. Such a develop ment was inevitable. For many, it was much easier to buy other people’s beer, than to brew their own.

I could not see that the “home-brew” system was abused. On the contrary, it seemed to me a very good solution of the Euronesian problem created by “Old Granny” Government and her absurd liquor-rationing plan. The “home brew” was alcoholic, of course, but not heavily so. I saw no drunkenness in Samoa. Many European, as well as Euronesian, homes had their own “home-brew”.

Some time ago. Samoa residents appealed to New Zealand to revise the liquor laws. Instead of that, in the manner typical of “Old Granny’s” notoriously muddled administration of Samoa, the “home-brew” system is be ing attacked. Instead of dealing with the original evil, “Old Granny” sets off after what is a secondary and a really

harmless thing.-

R.W.R.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Chapman, of Rewa, Fiji, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last month —they were mar ried in Melbourne on February 6, 1890.

Mr. Chapman, who is 72 years of age, originally went to Fiji in 1868 and has lived at his home on the banks of the Rewa River ever since, except for an occasional visit to Melbourne.

Mr. A. E. S. Howard, District Com missioner in Fiji, has been accepted for military service in England, where he was spending long leave.